Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri on
Wednesday phoned his Amsterdam counterpart Femke Halsema to tell
her that Lazio fans are not anti-semtici after she banned them
from travelling to December 12's Europa League tie against Ajax
after an alleged 'pogrom' against Maccabi Tel Aviv fans in the
Dutch city on November 7, the Campidoglio said in a statement.
"While understanding the fears following the recent violence and
the climate created in Amsterdam, after the match on November 7
- the note continues - the mayor wanted to reassure Halsema that
the vast majority of Lazio fans have no connection with
anti-Semitic, racist and violent positions and that the actions
of a small minority of fans cannot allow any generalization.
"Gualtieri also specified to the mayor that the club led by
president (Claudio) Lotito is a healthy club and has always been
strongly committed to marginalizing these extremist fringes that
damage the image of the team and the city, a phenomenon
unfortunately present in many football fan groups.
"The mayor, while respecting Halsema's decision, also said he
was available for any form of collaboration - concludes the
Campidoglio - if there were a willingness to review the decision
taken also to protect the thousands of Lazio fans who have
already spent money to organize the trip. The meeting between
the two mayors took place in a cordial and friendly tone".
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA
